Lot #18
Lot #20

Lot 19: Winchester 1st Model 1873 Lever Action-Documented 'Half Nickel'

Special Order Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in Scarce Documented "Half Nickel" Configuration with Factory Letter

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 2, 2016

Lot 19: Winchester 1st Model 1873 Lever Action-Documented 'Half Nickel'

Special Order Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in Scarce Documented "Half Nickel" Configuration with Factory Letter

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 2, 2016

Estimated Price: $7,500 - $12,000

Special Order Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in Scarce Documented "Half Nickel" Configuration with Factory Letter

Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1873
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 44
Barrel: 24 inch octagon
Finish: blue/nickel
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 3846
Item Interest: Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 21
Class: Antique
Description:

According to the included Cody Museum letter, this rifle spent one day in the warehouse on August 30, 1877, and is recorded as having an octagon barrel, set trigger, checkered stock and being "half nickel" indicating a nickel receiver and blued barrel and magazine. Blade front and sporting semi-buckhorn rear sights, with the two-line address and 1866/1860 patent dates on the top barrel flat and a magazine just a fraction of an inch shy of full length. The receiver is finished in nickel with a matching finished dust cover showing a checkered "thumbprint" grip, a nickeled loading gate and hammer, and a casehardened lever. The forearm and straight-wrist buttstock are checkered, with a nickel forearm cap and a casehardened trapdoor buttplate.

Rating Definition:

Very good as refinished (barrel, magazine, stock). The blue components mostly show a brown patina overall, with some bright edge wear and scattered handling marks, while 70% of the flaked, polished nickel is present, with the flaked areas showing a mixed brown and gray aged patina and some mild scratches as well. The lever shows some traces of original color, with much of the surface faded. The wood is very good, with recut checkering and scattered dings. Mechanically fine, including the set trigger.



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot